Anybody bold enough to try a voltage conversion on your own?
I am planning to move to Europe, and I have to convert the voltage on an audio research power amplifier, an audio research preamplifier, PS audio DAC, and a Whest Phono Stage. While the actual price to have the factories do this is not very high, round-trip shipping and for large heavy boxes with insurance adds up very quickly! Particularly the phono stage which needs to go to England! Not wanting to spend nearly $1000 on round trip shipping, I’d like to attempt this conversion myself, unless I am persuaded not to.
I’ve read some of the similar posts on this forum as well as poked around on the web and I found that in many cases the conversion is simply a matter of changing the connection or sequence of a couple of wires inside the unit, and most often does not require any serious swapping out of components.
The equipment that I would like to switch the voltage on is:
Audio Research VT100 mk II Audio Research LS25 mk I PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC mk II Whest PS .30r
and lastly, the power conditioner: Shunyata Research Talos
Regarding this last item, the power conditioner, I spoke to Shunyata, and they told me that they can do this for me. The cost was higher than the other brands. They would leave the standard US outlets on the back. They also told me that my collection of American Shunyata power cables will work on any voltage, so that as long as the Talos is converted to run on European voltage, the cables that I have will connect to my components, or any components that I upgrade to in the future.
So, if anyone out there has done this, or knows how to do this, I would really appreciate the guidance! Also, if you have the skills and you are in South Florida, perhaps I will ask to hire you!
I have moved to Europe, from the USA, twice. Simply bought myself a 2 kW voltage converter/power stabilizer. Worked perfectly for me. You can use something like this:
Alternatively, just buy a 220V-110V transformer and use it with your power conditioner. See my previous post on this subject.
Warning: A lot of Krell, Martin Logan, Mark Levinson etc. equipment have a voltage/frequency sensing chip on the power input board. If it detects the correct voltage but wrong frequency it will not work. I found out the hard way when I tried to run my Krell HTS on a 220V-110V transformer; 110V/50Hz instead of 110V/60Hz.
Mgattmch, is a device like that "audiophile friendly"? I would guess that something like that can introduce noise or constrain dynamics. Is that the case?
In answer to "marktomaras" question; not in my opinion. Hard to be certain, as I was unable to do a direct comparison. However, based on memory, both systems sounded the same in France as they did in the USA.
Kosst, Would you happen to have any photos of what it looks like to wire the primaries? Is it simply removing the solder in a wire from one point in moving into a different point and re-solder it?
I love the idea of not spending $1500 on voltage conversions and shipping back and forth. But I am worried that the transformer will not be a good "audiophile" solution. The last thing I want is some noise or distortion in my system! thoughts?
marktomaras an audio research preamplifier, PS audio DAC, and a Whest Phono Stage. While the actual price to have the factories do this is not very high,
Because you’ve said "not very" to the cost, by all 3 units. It sounds like they don’t need new transformers installed. All have must have multiple primary taps on the transformers (4 wires), which can be reconfigured either series or parallel by internal switching or plugs, or physically re-configuring the primary taps.to suit the new voltage. You can read up on doing this using Google if your up to it. Here is a pic, the top one of the same transformer wired for 115v or 240v http://electro-dan.co.uk/electronics/wiring.gif
Thank you georgehifi, I was hoping this is not rocket science! Perhaps I’ll open the hood and investigate soon...
By the way, what is your feeling on using a large capacity step down isolation transformer instead of changing all of the wiring on several components?
I don't mind using step down trany's, so long as they're quite and way over rated for the job. As they also do isolation as well, which will reduce mains noise. I use a 230v to 230v isolation trany on all my source gear in Australia for just that purpose. As for amps though as they're not regulated, nothing beats straight into the wall mains outlet, as they sound best with the lowest line resistance, and any kind of after market conditioning to me introduces higher line resistance compared to nothing.
i think you are right about the very likely lack of a new internal transformer. Seems like that would be far more expensive of a change.
so, where do I begin? Pop off the top and take some photos, and show the community for advice?
does the 50hz 60hz change have an effect here? Portugal is on 50hz, we’re on 60hz. Does the Rewiring of the transformer take this into account or solve this problem?
i am a tinkerer by nature, and I have some DIY skills. That said, I am no electronics engineer! If I am going to attempt this, I’ll need to have a good plan/procedure in place. Any advice to how I might proceed and what the tools and skills necessary may include?
are we talking soldering? Or perhaps just some sort of detachable wiring terminator that holds the wire to the points on the transformer?
lastly, is there any way to know for sure, before I risk disaster, that the new wiring scheme is 100% correct? As I am not familiar with Power supply transformers, I am not aware of there is a common standard that is obvious to an engineer.
It is not worth risking my gear if there is a chance of catastrophic failure. That said, if it is possible to see/envision the correct wiring scheme will total confidence, I think I am game to do the conversion myself.
last but not least, I have a medium size step up transformer here in the USA. I suppose I could test the component at 220v to see if it works, and still be on the correct side of the Atlantic to get it fixed at the factory if I fail!
is there any way to know for sure, before I risk disaster, that the new wiring scheme is 100% correct?
Use a DMM check the resistance across the power socket pin, after voltage conversion to 220/240V the resistance should be 4X higher. A Dim Bulb Tester will save your gears if anything go wrong:
Looking at these all have multiple primaries, they both look doable from 110v to 230v. OP, if you need to ask how to do it, DON’T!, get someone who knows. Shouldn't take longer than 1/2hr to 1hr each, depending on access to the primaries.
Although the transformer will run hotter at 50Hz, as long as the transformer is designed to operate on 50/60Hz, you shouldn't worry about it. And its usually clearly printed "50/60Hz" on the back of the equipment near the AC power socket!
Slightly hotter not worth mentioning, and it's a problem with TT synchronous motors, and some microprocessors that Krell used in their 300 integrated amp.
I spent several years in Europe both in the army and as a contractor. If you have access to a PX over there they sell step down transformers at a reasonable price if you have to buy one locally over there it's more expensive. There generally packaged nicely look for one that is at least 1200W larger is better. While this probably is not the best method it is the cheapest. Converting all your components can get pricey. As for the 50/60 Hz this is generally not a problem. Only one of my components balked at he frequency. Cant remember if it was my Levinson DAC or Transport. Had to take it to shop to have some conversion done and again when I returned
One last word of advice. Be careful that you do not plug your equipment into the mains over there it will smoke your equipment. Seen it happen a few times. i\It is easier than you think wall outlets are not as plentiful over there. You will have some pretty interesting power strips and extension cord setups
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